At a glance
- When
- Saturday 5 December 2026, 6pm to 10pm (Melbourne time, daylight saving)
- Where
- Town Park, 20 Civic Square, Croydon
- Cost
- Free; no bookings required
- Main concert
- From 7:30pm, hosted by Lucy Holmes, with the Maroondah Carols Band
- Fireworks
- Approximately 9:30pm, weather dependent
- Not allowed
- Smoking, vaping and dogs (guide dogs and assistance animals are permitted)
- Who it’s for
- Families and anyone in Melbourne’s outer east who wants a free Christmas night out in Croydon
- What to do now
- Put the date in your calendar and subscribe to the council’s major event updates; if you run on Town Park’s athletics track, plan to use AC Robertson Athletics Track from 4 to 6 December
- Last checked
- Thursday 29 October 2026, against the Maroondah City Council event page
- Not yet confirmed
- Public transport options and parking locations (the council’s page mentions them but does not list them yet), and the wet-weather plan
Maroondah Carols is free and runs from 6pm to 10pm on Saturday 5 December 2026 at Town Park in Croydon, with the main concert starting at 7:30pm and fireworks at approximately 9:30pm. This guide uses only what Maroondah City Council has published, checked on 29 October 2026, and says plainly where the council has not yet given details.
What time does everything start?
The council’s Maroondah Carols page sets out the night in three parts:
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| From 6pm | Pre-show entertainment from Croydon Primary School and Stage School Australia, food trucks and the free Kids Zone |
| From 7:30pm | Main concert, hosted by Lucy Holmes, with the Maroondah Carols Band |
| Approximately 9:30pm | Fireworks display, weather dependent |
The council describes Maroondah Carols as a community highlight for over 25 years. The page says no bookings are required.
Who is performing at the main concert?
The main concert begins at 7:30pm. The council names the Maroondah Carols Band and four performers:
- Samantha Du Rennes
- Jonathan Guthrie-Jones
- Beth Weinert
- Anthony Gerace
Santa will also make a special appearance during the evening. The council has not published a set order or individual set times for the four performers, so treat 7:30pm as the start of the concert, not of any one act.
What is there for kids before the concert?
From 6pm there is a free Kids Zone. Thanks to its sponsor, Discovery Childcare and Education, the council says families can enjoy Christmas-themed activities, rides, games and roving performers before the main concert begins. The page does not say which rides will be there or whether any have height limits. Food trucks are listed as part of the pre-show, but the council has not named the trucks.
How do I get there and where do I park?
The council’s Getting there section says there are “a range of transport options, including public transport, accessible parking, a drop-off and pick-up zone and nearby parking”, and asks visitors to plan their trip before they arrive. At the time of checking it did not name a station, a bus route or a car park, and it did not mention a shuttle service.
Also on the council’s calendar: our Maroondah Festival guide.
| Option | What the council has published for Maroondah Carols |
|---|---|
| Public transport | Listed as an option; no station or route named |
| Accessible parking | Available; location not stated |
| Drop-off and pick-up zone | Available; location not stated |
| Nearby parking | Listed as an option; locations not stated |
For the latest, the council’s contact details are 1300 88 22 33 and maroondah@maroondah.vic.gov.au.
Is the athletics track open?
No, not around the event. The council says the Town Park Athletics Track will be closed and fenced off from Friday 4 December to Sunday 6 December while large event equipment and trucks are on site. AC Robertson Athletics Track is available as an alternative during the closure. If you train or run on the Town Park track, that is a three-day closure, not just the night of the carols.
What is available for people who need accessible options?
- Auslan interpreters will be on stage during the main concert from 7:30pm and will also be shown on the big screen.
- A low-sensory calm space will be available for people who need a quieter place to decompress during the event.
- Accessible parking and a drop-off and pick-up zone will also be available.
Can I bring my dog?
No. Maroondah Carols is a smoke-free, vape-free and dog-free event. Guide dogs and assistance animals are permitted. The council also asks people not to bring pets at all, and, if you live nearby, to keep pets safely indoors during the fireworks, as some animals may be frightened by the noise.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The council has not published a wet-weather plan. It says only that the fireworks are weather dependent and will go ahead at approximately 9:30pm if the weather allows. The council runs a major event updates subscription that covers Maroondah Carols and Maroondah Festival; the page links to it, and that is the place to look for any change.
What should I do before 5 December?
- Subscribe to the council’s major event updates from the Maroondah Carols page.
- Check the page again in the days before the event for public transport and parking details.
- If you use the Town Park athletics track, switch to AC Robertson Athletics Track from Friday 4 December.
- Leave the dog at home, and keep pets indoors during the fireworks if you live nearby.
Sources
- Maroondah City Council — Maroondah Carols (date, times, performers, accessibility, closure, pets; checked 29 October 2026)
Featured image: Aerial panorama of Mount Dandenong with Croydon in the foreground (photo: Bob Tan / CC BY 4.0) (text added)
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with Maroondah City Council. Times and details can change; check the council’s event page before you go.